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Underrated Dynasty Buys

Dynasty Buys Through Film Analysis

One of the best ways to identify underrated talents is to check Pro Football Focus film grades. PFF systematically evaluates players every week, providing each player with an overall grade and grades in other specific categories.

I've gone through the training on PFF grading. So I recognize both the care put into it -- and how context can be eliminated from the process.

I’ve noticed some player grades that come in a lot higher than I expected. So I watched the film and found a guy at each position who deserved the high PFF grade … but also looks like an undervalued dynasty asset right now.

Let’s dive in…

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers 

The past two years have been a downward fantasy spiral for Herbert. His passing yards and TDs decreased each year from 2021 through 2023.

Part of the issue was Herbert dealing with injuries, from rib and shoulder issues in 2022 to finger fractures in 2023. They appeared to limit Herbert’s effectiveness at times.

Then, the Chargers hired HC Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman, notable “establish the run” advocates. It appeared that Herbert’s potential as a QB1 was over.  

Herbert’s dynasty ADP has reflected this:

But, there is a reason Herbert was once the QB3 in dynasty: He’s spectacular.

The new Chargers coaches appear to be starting to understand this. They've moved from 30th in pass vs. run split to 24th in over the past few weeks. The Chargers even rank fifth in the league in neutral pass rate over the past four weeks.

Talent Transcending Situation

Herbert ranks fifth in PFF passing grade for the season. He grades out higher than Patrick Mahomes, C.J. Stroud, and Josh Allen despite throwing fewer passes than all three. 

His film looks as good as vintage 2021 Herbert.

This recent pass illustrates Herbert’s masterful pre- and post-snap abilities.

The motion allows Herbert to recognize the Saints’ zone defense. With one safety deep, he has to read both the CB and safety while also lining up the play action.

Seeing the safety play deep (covering the slot’s go route) and the CB staying in a shallow zone while hesitating due to play action, Herbert knows he'll have an open post route on the right side.

It isn’t an easy throw to ensure you get the ball over the CB's head and in the WR's hands.

He hits it perfectly.

Buy and Stash

Herbert's pure talent is worth buying. He is finally healthy and performing at an All-Pro level -- just without the volume.

The Chargers' coaching staff appears to be recognizing this and opening up the offense more, even when the Chargers are ahead.

QBs such as Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams sit ahead of Herbert in dynasty valuation right now. But Herbert's the more reliable long-term bet to make.

Our Dynasty Trade Calculator has Herbert valued around RB Zach Charbonnet, an easy deal to make if you need a long-term QB. 

Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins

We highlighted Wright as an emerging RB a few weeks ago, and he continues to exceed expectations in his limited snaps.

With Raheem Mostert back as a contributor, Wright has dipped to single-digit snap counts in each of the last three weeks.

Those little contributions make this the time to pounce on Wright as a buy.

Every touch showcases his upside as a runner, not only because of the 4.38 speed and athleticism, but also his ability to read a defense.

Big Plays on Few Touches

Wright’s PFF rushing grade stands at fourth in the league behind Derrick Henry, Bijan Robinson, and Kenneth Walker III. That type of company makes you go to the film.

And the film lives up to the hype.

Wright gets a shotgun carry off tackle that was nearly blown up immediately by the tackle getting driven into Wright’s path. Most RBs -- even great ones -- likely hesitate to try and cut back. And that tends to deliver a negative play.

Not Wright.

He recognizes the push and takes a quick path around the tackle with a lean upfield, exploding for an 8-yard gain.

The vision and awareness to find the best path is exceptional. On top of that, Wright display's his explosiveness by outrunning the defense for positive yardage despite the hiccup.

A smart player with Wright’s athleticism is unique.

Wright's Time is Coming

If dynasty managers are getting tired with Wright on the bench as the clear No. 3 RB in Miami, pounce.

The Dolphins have an out to cut Raheem Mostert after this season and plug Wright immediately into that role. 

If they do, he will outperform his current RB4-level trade value.

Our Trade Value Chart aligns Wright with a second-round rookie pick in value. Buy him for that price and get a potential flex play for 2025.

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers 

Coker, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross, was barely on the dynasty radar a few weeks ago.

But the Panthers trading away Diontae Johnson (and now Jonathan Mingo) has elevated Coker as a slot option -- who has flashed at times as an outside WR too.

Coker’s 4.57-second 40 time didn’t turn heads during the draft process. But his vertical and broad jump ranked 93rd-percentile among Combine WRs historically.

Coker’s explosiveness comes through on the field, and he might just be earning a future role despite the lack of draft capital and small school status.

Coker comes super cheap, so let’s look at the film and see if it is worth swinging for the upside.

Nuanced Film

Coker currently sits 18th in PFF receiving grade, ahead of studs Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown (among others).

Coker obviously doesn't come close to the talent level of those players. But his quick emergence has been impressive.

His slot snaps showcase sharp route running and explosiveness off the line. But his outside work shows Coker’s upside as potentially more than just a typical volume-driven slot WR.

Coker starts in the stack and runs an out route before turning up into a go. He sells the out extremely well before turning it upfield perfectly. His spacing vs. the sideline and CB give Bryce Young a bit more leeway with the throw.

Coker actually uses his hands to get leverage and makes an impressive catch in tight coverage.

Not many WRs can display this level of explosiveness in this type of route. Coker does it with ease.

Temper Expectations?

The odds remain stacked against Coker long term. He is an undrafted free agent from a small school on a team that will have to add more WRs this offseason.

But Coker should at least provide some short-term value and prove cheap enough to be worth a shot.

Use our Free Agent Finder to see if Coker is available in your league. If he's rostered, you might be able to get him for a third-round rookie pick.

Noah Gray, TE, Kansas City Chiefs 

Gray's PFF grade caught my eye. The fourth-year TE is playing 60% of snaps, despite Kansas City using 12 or 13 personnel (multiple TEs) on only 17% of their snaps this year.

Gray came out of Duke as a two-way player who was a solid run and pass blocker as well as a solid route runner with good hands.

Injuries knocked him down to the fifth round, and the Chiefs have seemed to favor him as Travis Kelce’s backup for most of Gray’s young career.

With Kelce in his age-35 season, Gray could be starting with Patrick Mahomes as soon as next year.

Is he talented enough to carry that mantle?

Mimicking Travis Kelce

In fantasy, we care about receiving much more than blocking. And Gray shines there.

He sits fourth in PFF receiving grade among TEs this year ahead of studs such as Trey McBride, Mark Andrews, and even teammate Travis Kelce.

Gray looks like a younger Kelce out there in how he connects with Mahomes.

Kelce’s freelancing connection with Mahomes has always been key. If Mahomes starts moving out of the pocket, Kelce will move with him to create a throwing window.

Gray is achieving the same dynamic this season.

In the play above, Gray runs his curl correctly, but the pocket collapsing forces Mahomes to step up and roll left. 

Gray follows suit by moving to his right, setting up a first-down completion. Had Gray just sat in his route, Mahomes would have had to throw it away.

This may not seem like much, but it’s built into the Chiefs offense for Kelce (and their other TEs) to freelance like this. If Gray can continue to do this successfully, he should take over the starting job when Kelce bows out.

Is Gray Worth the Investment? 

In shallow dynasty leagues where TEs have no premium, Gray is a pass right now. Consider adding him late in the year, though, in case Kelce retires.

Gray's worth a stash now in deeper leagues, though. If he's already rostered, consider sending a third-round pick to stash a potential TE1 in the next year or two.

Continue Building with These Dynasty Tools

Our Trade Value Charts are just one of the tools available to help you maintain your perennial contender. Learn more on how to dominate your dynasty leagues and improve your value with the video below:

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format including redraft, dynasty, devy, IDP, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance.